


PS 3521 
.N53 G8 
1910 
Copy 1 





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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



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EVELYN GAGE KNIFFIN 



GUIDE-POSTS ON THE 
FOOT-PATH TO PEACE 

A Book of Religious Verse 



By EVELYN GAGE KNIFFIN 

Author of "Rose Leaves" 



"And thine ears shall hear a word behind 
thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, 
when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye 
turn to the left." — Isaiah 30:21. 



Published by the Author 

:30 Milton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

1910 






Copyright, 1910, by 
EVELYN GAGE KNIFFIN 

All Rights Reserved 



11 



GU27o'JU3 



I 



INSCRIPTION 



TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS 
OF EVERY RACE AND CREED 
WHO ARE SEEKING PEACE I 
MOST LOVINGLY DEDICATE THIS 
LITTLE VOLUME, WITH THE 
EARNEST PRAYER THAT SOME 
ONE OF THESE SIMPLE GUIDE- 
POSTS MAY AID THE LONGING 
HEART TO REACH THE GOAL, 



111 



"The way of peace they know not; and there is no 
judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked 
paths : whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." — 
Isaiah 59 : 8. 

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is 
stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." — Isaiah 26:3. 

"For to be carnally minded is death ; but to be spir- 
itually minded is life and peace." — Rom. 8 : 6. 



"The Lord will give strength unto his people ; the 
Lord will bless his people with peace." — Psa. 29: 11. 



"To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the 
shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of 
peace." — Luke i : 79. 



"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; 
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your 
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." — John_i4: 27. 



"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with 
peace ; the mountains and the hills shall break forth 
before you into singing, and all the trees of the field 
shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come 
up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up 
the myrtle tree." — Isaiah 55 : 12-13. 



"And the peace of God which passeth all understand- 
ing, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ 
Jesus." — Phil. 4: 7. 



IV 



FOREWORD 

To-day we are standing just within the gates 
of a new and glorified existence which, though 
open to all, is unobserved by the many who 
through a false sense of materialism are blinded 
to the possibilities within their reach. 

For centuries men have been vainly striving 
to attain the sublime ; but, seeking it by the wrong 
pathway, have failed to rise above the cares and 
sorrows of earth which have ever overwhelmed 
them. Now, however, more and more are we 
coming to realize that the simple turning from 
rnaterial conceptions to the spiritual, — the chang- 
ing of our erroneous belief in God as the author 
of sin and sorrow, to the understanding of God 
as Love, — is the open-sesame which reveals to 
our enraptured vision the glories of the new life. 
And as we progress the Light grows ever brighter 
and brighter; and once on the journey, how far 
behind seems the little valley of darkness where 
for so long we wandered. 



To all those who are seeking Peace, vainly 
striving to find the way thither, these little 
thought-verses are offered, — guide-posts, as it 
were, pointing the way onward ; for this journey 
is not made at a single bound, but step by step 
we every one must tread the pathway ere the land 
of fulfilment is ours. 

Speaking in an unknown tongue is of no avail 
in the endeavor to bring understanding; so in 
plain, simple language I have striven to make the 
way clear, sometimes even using the idioms of the 
old life that I may be the more readily under- 
stood, and thereby accomplish the greater good. 
And to each troubled wanderer I would extend 
the loving, sympathetic hand, and very gently 
turn their faces Peaceward, lifting the veil of ma- 
teriality tenderly, lest, blinded by a too sudden 
radiance, some may flee in terror and be plunged 
into even deeper darkness by the belief that where 
light was promised they had found nothing. 

For those already in the way of Understanding 
there are guide-posts many, but for these weary 
hearts there seem to be only the waymarks which 
lead them farther and farther into the vale of un- 
satisfied longing. And to me, therefore, it will be 
a most gracious and blessed privilege if, by these 
simple verses, I may go out to meet a few of these 
vi 



seeking ones and be instrumental in starting them 
just a little way on the foot-path to Peace, where 
they will find the one true Guide — eternal, divine 
Love. 



"^yZ^C&v^ '^ui.G^ ^"h^ 



vn 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Guide-posts to Peace i 

Bethesda 3 

Hope 5 

Guidance 6 

Sufficing Strength 8 

Deliverance lo 

Refuge 13 

Peace 15 

Shepherded 16 

He Giveth His Beloved Sleep 17 

The New Day 18 

My Own Will Come to Me 19 

Compassion ' ... 21 

Love 23 

Through Love to Trust 25 

Trusting 26 

No Will but His . 28 

Thy Will Be Done 29 

The Passing Sea 31 

The River of Tears 33 

The Empty Tomb 34 

Awakening 36 

Understanding 37 

ix 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Heaven 41 

Thanksgiving 42 

What Christmas Means to Me 44 

My Prayer 47 

My Duty 49 

My Goal 51 

The Cycle 52 

Ebb-tide 55 

The Other Room 56 

Progression 57 

Fulfilment 59 

Compensations 61 

Heroism 62 

Patience 64 

Rectification 65 

Castaways dj 

Thoughts 68 

A Song of Joy 70 

My Castle Tz 

The Mountains of Peace 75 

Beneath the Leaves "JJ 

The Land of True Success 79 

The Vale of Seeming 81 

Unanswered 84 

The River of Life 86 

X 



GUIDE-POSTS TO PEACE 

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto 
my path." — Ps. 119: 105. 

Seeking Peace, I wandered, blind and lonely, 
Through a mist-enshrouded vale of tears ; 

Searching for the path that leadeth onward 
To the land beyond earth's cares and fears. 

Then at last the purple fog seemed lifted. 

And a guide-post through the darkness shone : — 

"I will bring the blind by ways they know not, 
Leading them in paths they have not known: 

'T will make the darkness light before them. 
Crooked things shall straightened be for aye." 

Then I saw a pathway straight and narrow; 
For the night had flown, and lo, 'twas day. 

Through a meadow green it led me onward. 
Where fair blossoms shed their perfume sweet ; 

But at last the way grew rough and stony, 
Rocks of fear were strewn beneath my feet. 
I 



"P'ear not, I am with thee and will bless thee." 
Soon my rugged path had smoother grown : — 

''He will give His angels charge to keep thee, 
Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." 

Yet the way seemed long and weakness seized me, 
And I stumbled oft, to fall at length : — 

"Trust ye in the Lord your God forever. 
In the Lord is everlasting strength." 

Then I passed through waters deep of sorrow; 

Yet there stood above the flood of woe, — 
''When thou passest through the waves I'm with 
thee; 

And through rivers, they shall not o'erflow." 

''AH the ransomed shall return with gladness, 
Care and sorrow far away shall flee." 

"God shall wipe away tears from all faces," 
"With His feathers He shall cover thee." 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you." 
Thus the guide-posts lead me day by day : — 

Guidance, Light, and Trust, and Strength, and 
Refuge ; — 
Till the Land of Peace is mine for aye. 



BETHESDA 

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is 
the day of salvation." — 2 Cor. 6:2. 

Dost thou wait beside Bethesda's pool, 

Heavy laden, sick, and worn with care? 
When its waters by the angel moved, 

Wert thou not among the blessed there? 
Hast thou waited many lingering years, 

From each weary dawn till close of day? 
Know ye, then, — thy vigil now is o'er ! 

Christ, the blessed Master, comes this way! 

No more needst thou wait the angel's spell. 

No more needst thou watch with longing eyes ! 
Truth entreats thee, "Wilt thou not be whole?" 

Christ is here to say to thee, "Arise !" 
Banish all thy fettering doubts and fears, 

Smooth the lines of suffering from thy brow ; 
Wait no longer till the waters move. 

Know that God's accepted time is now. 

3 



See thyself the perfect child of God ! 

Rise above the earth-clouds dark and drear ! 
Then the light of Love- for thee shall dawn, 

Pain and care, like mists, shall disappear. 
Stretch thine hand and take the offered gift, — 

God hath waited long to give it thee : 
From thy dreams of sin and sickness, wake ! 

Know the Truth, and be forever free ! 



HOPE 

"For we are saved by hope." — Romans 8: 24. 

Oh, star of Hope ! Thou beacon of my heart, 
That ever brightly shines, though dark the 
way, — 

Thou art the flaming torch upheld by Faith, 
That steadfast glows and leads me on for aye. 

The star of Bethlehem, in days gone by, 
Burned in the eastern sky at close of day; 

And, brightly shining, led the wise men on 

To where the babe, the little Christ-child, lay. 

vSo thou, O star of Hope, dost ever lead 

All those who seek surcease from sin and pain, 

To that blest place where Truth sublime is 
born, — 
Where Love, and Love alone, doth ever reign. 



GUIDANCE 

"To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the 
shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of 
peace." — Luke i : 79. 

''The meek will He guide in judgment; 

And the meek will He teach His way" ; — 
By night, with the pillar of fire, 

With the hovering cloud by day. 

The Lord doth continually guide us 

O'er places that perilous seem; 
He makes us to lie in green pastures ; 

He leads us beside the still stream. 

This path, Jesus travelled before us ; 

Its terrors no longer dismay; — 
His Word is a lamp to our footsteps, 

A light to illumine our way. 

The pitfalls that seemed to surround us, 
As weakly we groped in our fear. 

Have vanished ! and lo, in the sunlight, 
The angel of Peace doth appear! 



The mountains which seemed steep and toilsome 

To feet that were weary and sore, 
By Faith, are removed from our pathway ; 

Bright meadows He gleaming before. 

We knew not the way Thou wert leading, 

And blindly refused, Lord, to see 
That sickness, and sorrow, and dying, 

Could ne'er have been fashioned by Thee. 

Forgive us for doubting Thy goodness. 
For closing our eyes 'gainst the Light, 

Believing that Thou who dost love us, 
Shouldst leave us in bondage of night. 

For lo, when we know, Lord, that evil 

Exists not by Thee, nor to Thee, 
Our pathway is flooded with glory ; 

Whereas we were blind, now we see. 

With Love, and in Truth, Thou dost guide us ; 

Thy tenderness never doth cease ; 
And we shall go out with much singing, 

Yea, we shall be led forth with Peace. 



SUFFICING STRENGTH 

"And as thy days, so shall thy strength be." — Deut. 
32 : 25. 

Ye who climb life's rugged way, 
Hear the voice of Jesus say, — 
"Fear not : peace be unto thee !" 
As thy days, thy strength shall be. 

Sow in tears, but reap in joy! 
Let not care thy hope destroy ! 
Patience brings thee victory; — 
As thy da3^s, thy strength shall be. 

Put all doubt and fear away! 
Rise in all His might to-day! 
Evil has no power o'er thee; — 
As thy days, thy strength shall be. 

Everlasting strength is thine. 
For its source is Love Divine. 
Child of God, thy birthright see ! — • 
As thy days, thy strength shall be. 
8 



Truth is victor ! Mind is might ! 
Weakness flees before the Light; 
From its thraldom thou art free !- 
As thy days, thy strength shall be. 

In the strength of God, arise ! 
For, where'er thy pathway lies, — 
On the mount, by surging sea; — 
As thy days, thy strength shall be. 



DELIVERANCE 



"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and de- 
livereth them out of all their troubles." — Ps. 34: 17. 

Why art thou cast down, O my spirit? 
Whence comes this disquiet within ? 

(Ps. 42: II.) 

Lo, there shall no evil befall thee ; 

(Ps. 91 : 10.) 
The peace that is perfect shall win. 

(Isa. 26:3.) 

The Lord will not leave thee nor fail thee ; 

So fear not, nor be thou dismayed ! 

(Deut. 31 : 8.) 
The Lord is thy light, thy salvation; 

Of whom then shalt thou be afraid? 

(Ps. 27: I.) 

He saith : — When through deep waters passing, 

I'm with thee, — they shall not o'erflow : 

(Isa. 43:2.) 
I'll strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee ; 

(Isa. 41 : 10.) 
No sorrow thy spirit shall know. 

(Rev. 21 : 4.) 

10 



Fear not for the terror by midnight, 

Nor arrow that flieth by day; 

(Ps. 91:5.) 
For naught shall by any means hurt thee : 

(Luke 10: 19.) 
Thy joy no man taketh away. 

(John 16: 22.) 

No plague shall e'er come nigh thy dwelling, 

(Ps. 91 : 10.) 
Then why shouldst thou tremble and fear? 

(Matt. 8:26.) 
For I am the Lord that shall heal thee; 

(Ex. 15:26.) 
Before thou shalt call, I will hear. 

(Isa. 65:24.) 

ril turn all thy darkness to daylight. 

Thy crooked ways straightened shall be, 

(Isa. 42: 16.) 
And thou shalt forever be singing, — 

(Isa. 65: 14.) 
"Whereas I was blind, now I see !" 

(John 9:25.) 

When running, thou shalt not be weary, 

Or walking, thou never shalt fall ; 

(Isa. 40: 31.) 
The flame shall not kindle upon thee, 

(Isa. 43:2.) 
And nothing shall hurt thee at all. 

(Luke 10: 19.) 
TI _ 



E'en death shall have no more dominion, 

(Rom. 6:9.) 
For Jesus proclaims it, and saith : — 

A man that shall keep all my sayings, 

Shall live, and shall never see death ; 

(John 8:51.) 

For he that believeth upon me, 

Is passed now from death unto life. 

(John 5:24.) 
The grave has been robbed of its victory, — 

(i Cor. 15:55-) 
O'ercome in the last mighty strife ! 

So fear not ; for lo, I am with thee ! 

Thy God I am ! Be not dismayed ! 

(Isa. 41 : 10.) 
Thou art not in flesh, but in Spirit ; 

(Rom. 8:9.) 
And none shall e'er make thee afraid ! 

(Job 11: 19.) 



12 



REFUGE 

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms." — Deut 33 : 2^, 

When darkness gathers round my way, 

And clouds obscure the sun, 
"Let there be Hght!" I hear Him say, 

And lo, the morn has come : 
His Word dispels the shades of night, 
And this my refuge, — God is Light ! 

When tempests roar, and sorrows thrill, 

While anguish-billows beat, 
I hear a whisper, "Peace, be still !" 

And find a haven sweet ; 
Then calmed are angry waves of strife : 
Lo, this my refuge, — God is Life! 

13 



When o'er parched sands my path is laid, 

Through trial's fervid heat, 
A great rock stands, in whose cool shade 

I find a blest retreat ; 
And sheltered in His Fatherhood, 
Behold my refuge, — God is Good ! 

When fear o'erwhelming terror brings, 

I seek His loving breast, 
And underneath His shielding wings, 

In Love I gently rest ; 
Then peace descendeth like a dove : 
My sweetest refuge, — God is Love ! 



14 



PEACE 

"And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto 
the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there 
was a great calm." — Mark 4:39. 

Hark ! the Master gently whispers, 

''Peace, be still !" 
And the angry waves and tempests 

Do His will. . 
Through the storm-clouds stars are peeping, 
Billows once so madly leaping, 
In a tranquil calm are sleeping: — 

All is still ! 

Through the storms of life He speaketh 

As of yore ; 
Saying, "Peace, be still : thy troubles 

Are no more !" 
Then our sorrows,^real though seeming, — 
Vanish, and we wake from dreaming. 
To behold the Day-star gleaming : — 

Night is o'er! 



15 



SHEPHERDED 

"Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber 
nor sleep." — Ps. 121 : 4. 

Fear not ! though dark thy pathway lies, 
Behind the clouds are azure skies ; 
And angels watch, and guide thy feet 
By waters still, through meadows sweet ; 
For, lo, the Shepherd guards His sheep. 
And doth not slumber, neither sleep. 

And when the weary day is done, 
And gath'ring clouds shut out the sun. 
While lowering bends a starless sky, 
And nameless fears come creeping nigh, 
Lie down in peace, — thy slumber take ; — 
The God who loves thee is awake ! 



16, 



HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP 

"When thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid : yea, 
thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet." — Prov. 
3:24. 

*'He giveth His beloved sleep ;" 
Then toss no more, and cease to weep! 
Rest thou in peace from all thy care, 
For God is Love, and everywhere. 

"Come imto Me, I'll give thee rest:" 
A calm most sweet now fills thy breast, 
And gone is every thought of fear, — 
For God is Love, and watches near. 

Then sleep : for God is All-in-all ! 
He knows thy need, He heeds thy call. 
Thy turmoil is a dream of mist : 
God made it not, — it don't exist! 

Sweet be thy slumber, — 'tis His will : 
He whispers softly, "Peace, be still!" 
So close thine eyes, and cease to weep, — 
"He giveth His beloved sleep." 

17 



THE NEW DAY 

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great 
light : they that dwell in the land of the shadow of 
death, upon them hath the light shined." — Isa. 9 : 2. 

How beauteous the morning land, 
The flying mists of night disclose : 

The darkness seemed to reign supreme, 
Until the sun, in might, arose. 

And so our lives, by senses held 
In bondage dark as deepest night. 

Are freed from evil's seeming reign, 

When Truth declares, "Let there be Light !" 

For as the mists of earth arise. 

When shines the glorious morning sun; 

So shall the mists of error flee. 

When Truth proclaims its victory won. 



18 



MY OWN WILL COME TO ME 

"Thine they were, and thou gavest them me." — John 
17: 6. 

As the blossom turns to the simHght, 
As the waves roll back to the sea, 

Some time, — just when I know not, — 
My own will come to me. 

Perhaps in the rosy morning, 

Or the blaze of noonday sun, 
Or while the stars of evening 
- Are gathering one by one. 

By sunlight, twilight, starlight, — 

Whenever, Lord, it be, — 
May Thy Light be the beacon 

That guides my own to me. 

"All mine are Thine, and Thine are . 
mine;" 
And when this truth I see. 
Love will dispel the shadows 
That hide my own from me. 

19 



Though often, Lord, I murmur, 
And wonder when 'twill be, 

Still this I know, — that some time, 
My own must come to me. 

Then make and keep me patient, 
And give me grace to see 

My own in all Thy beauty. 
When they come seeking me. 

It matters not how lowly. 

How sorrowful they be; 
I'll see but Thy reflection. 

When my own come to me. 

Somewhere I know they're waiting, — 
These whom Thou givest me ; — 

So banish selfish thoughts. Lord, — 
My own have need of me. 

Keep Thou me pure and holy. 

And faithful unto Thee, 
And ever watching, waiting, — 

When my own come to me. 



20 



COMPASSION 

"In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel 
of his presence saved them : in his love and in his pity he 
redeemed them." — Isa. 63 : 9. 

By the grave at Bethany, 

Where the sisters vigil kept, 
Touched by Mary's bitter woe, 

In compassion, Jesus wept. 

Yet, methinks. He also wept. 

That they so misunderstood 
How He conquered even death, 

By the Truth that God is Good. 

Conscious of His mighty power, 

Knowing death was nought but sleep, 

Still He proved to those who mourn. 
That He weeps with those who weep : 

Yet fulfills the prophet's word : — 

Beauty is for ashes given. 
Oil of joy for mourners' tears, 

Heavy hearts shall sing to Heaven. 

21 



So when mortals, sorrow-bowed, 

Weep by graves of those who've slept; 

Have compassion with their tears, 
And remember, — "J^sus wept." 

And through knowledge of God's might, 
Guide them to the perfect way. 

Where their grief shall turn to joy. 
And all tears be wiped away. 



22 



LOVE 

"Lovest thou me?" . . . "Feed my sheep." — John 
21 : 17. 

Once I prayed for Love to draw me 

Nearer Thee ; 
Then I heard Thy gentle whisper, — 

"Lov'st thou me?" 
''Feed my lambs !" came Thy command, and 

Now I see 
That through Love I give to others, 

I reach Thee. 

Lord, I hear Thy mandate, — help me 

To obey; 
Grant me grace to feed Thy hungry 

Sheep, I pray: 
Lead my feet in paths of service. 

Lest I stray; 
Keep my heart with Love o'erflowing. 

Day by day. 

23 



May I lift the fallen wand'rer, 
Bless the weak, 
Guiding to the Light Eternal, 

All who seek; 
And through days of loving labor, 

Keep me meek, 
Doing all for Thee, who bade me, — 
'Teed my sheep !" 

Thus in seeking Love, I gain when 

Most I spend : 
Help me. Lord, to make each needy 

Heart my friend ; 
And the kindly word and helping 

Hand I lend. 
Will uplift me to Thy Love that 

Hath no end. 



24 



THROUGH LOVE TO TRUST 

"Perfect love casteth out fear." — I John 4: 18. 

LoRD^ I pray for perfect love 

That casts out fear, 
That I may know, where'er my path, 

Thou, Lord, art near ; 
A love which trusteth all to Thee, 

And doubteth not. 
But knows Thy gracious plan is best, 

Whate'er my lot. 

1 love Thee, Lord, — but not enough ; 

And plead I must 
That by Thy grace Thou'lt lead me on 

Through Love to Trust : 
And then I'll find, though dark the way, 

That Light is given; 
And reach the Trust which crowneth Love, 

And leads to Heaven. 



25 



TRUSTING 

''Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter 
into the kingdom of heaven/' — Matt. 18:3. 

Down life's ever-winding river, 

Float I, in a dream; 
Shade and sunshine changing ever 

On its shifting scene. 
Sailing onward, never fearing, 
For a loving hand is steering, 
And the City fair is nearing, 

Where Love reigns supreme. 

Shadows dark are all about me, 
Yet I feel no fear, — 

For a shadow ne'er can harm me; 
So I'm drifting here. 

Ever trusting, ever knowing 

That the river's seaward flowing, 

Guides me whither I 

To that City dear. 

26 



And when boisterous waves and tempests 

Menace me with ill, 
Then my Pilot calms their fury, 

Saying, 'Teace, be still !" 
So I float on, sweetly dreaming. 
Knowing that the stars are gleaming, 
And the tempests, dreadful seeming, 

Shall obey His will. 



27 



NO WILL BUT HIS 

"The Lord God omnipotent reigneth."— Rev. 19 : 6. 

Adown the ages rings the blest command, — 

"Be perfect, even as thy Father is !" 
No power exists apart from Love Divine ! 
Behold the blessed truth, — 
No will but His ! 

Omnipotent He reigns, the God of Love ! 

The uttermost of earth, His kingdom is; 
So in His strength arise, and conquer fear! 
On earth, e'en as in Heaven, 
No will but His ! 



28 



THY WILL BE DONE 



"And be not conformed to this world : but be ye trans- 
formed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove 
what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of 
God." — Rom. 12 : 2. 



"Not my will, Lord, but Thine be done," 
Through poignant tears we say; 

And knowing not His will is Love, 
We tread the thorny way. 

We close our eyes lest we may see 

The brightness of His sun. 
And as we walk in darkest night. 

We say, ''Thy will be done." 

We close our ears lest we may hear 
The truth taught by His Word, 

Then say, "We cannot understand" ; — 
For lo, we have not heard. 

We take His gift, Eternal Life, 

And cast it far away; 
Then, weeping o'er our bitter loss, 

"It is God's will," we say. 



29 



So not His will, but ours is done 
When darkness doth prevail; 

For God is Light, and God is Love, 
And Love will never fail. 

Oh, may we strive to understand 

That Good alone is given ; 
Then say, "Thy will, O Lord, be done 

On earth, e'en as in Heaven." 



30 



THE PASSING SEA 

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the 
first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and 
there was no more sea." — Rev. 21 : i. 

The waves of the turbulent ocean 
Roll on with their ceaseless refrain, 

And speak to my heart of sad partings, 
Of perils, and unrest, and pain; 

Of long separation from loved ones, — 
A hand clasp, a tearful good-bye; — 

Of depths that are vast and unmeasured. 
Of tempests with waves dashing high. 

The sea ever voices its burden 
Of restlessness, tumult, and strife, 

And mysteries deep and unfathomed 
That darken the pathway of life. 

And sadly it murmurs of sorrow, 

Drear watching, and agonized fears. 
And ships that have vanished forever. 
And heart-broken women in tears. 



31 



So lives in the thrall of the senses 

Are like the tumultuous sea, 
With partings, and peril, and discord, 

Keen anguish, and dark mystery. 

But Christ comes proclaiming our birthright, 
Possession, and safety, and peace. 

Great joy, and a full understanding; — 
And then all our turmoil shall cease. 

There shall be no more death, neither sorrow. 
Nor crying, nor any more pain; 

For God wipes away all our tear-drops. 
And Love shall forevermore reign. 

Behold, the new earth and new heaven ! 

The first heaven and earth cease to be! 
The spirit of Peace reigns triumphant ! 

And lo. there shall be no- more sea ! 



32 



THE RIVER OF TEARS 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." 
-Rev. 21 : 4. 

The River of Tears is a phantom stream, 
That is fed by the Springs of Woe ; 

It flows through the Valley of Broken Hearts, 
Where the Weeds of Sorrow grow. 

Its waters are bitter with Human Cares, 
Wrecked Hopes by its waves are tossed ; 

But it onward flows to the Sea of Love, 
Where the River of Tears is lost. 

Then the Sun of Truth with its rays of Joy, 

Breaks through the clouded sky, 
And shineth down on the Springs of Woe, 

Till the River of Tears is dry. 



33 



THE EMPTY TOMB 



"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 
I Cor, 15 : 26. 



''Why weepest thou ? whom seekest thou ?" 

The Master gently said. 
"Why seek ye for the living Christ 

Among the silent dead? 
Ye seek for Life, — why seek ye here? 

The grave is not the door; 
I conquered death that ye might know, — 

And live forevermore. 
Then cease to weep, — to seek me here," 

Methinks I hear Him say; 
''The way to Life lies not through death : 

Behold ! I'm ris'n to-day." 

34 



''Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" 

I hear Him ask it still : 
And some of us, with Mary, cry, — 

''He died on Calvary's hill." 
But lo. He's ris'n ! He lives indeed ! 

And points the way for thee : 
Oh death, where is thine anguish now? 

Oh grave, — thy victory? 
He swept all finite barriers down. 

Broke every bond of sense, 
And stepped out from His rock-hewn tomb, 

Clothed with onmipotence. 

"Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" 

Down through the ages ring. 
Where, empty grave, thy victory? 

Where, vanquished death, thy sting? 
Then weep no more, and seek no more 

For Life within the tomb; 
There is no death ! He's proven it : 

The grave has met its doom. 
So may the blessed truth sweep on 

Through every age and clime, 
That death itself is swallowed up 

In victory sublime ! 



35 



AWAKENING 

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, 
and Christ shall give thee light." — Eph. 5: 14. 

We sleep and dream of woe and pain, 

And tremble in our fear ; 
Then wake to smile at phantoms flown, 

For lo, the morn is here ! 

A sleep, — a dream of earthly life, 

Of pain and grief God-given : 
The Morn of Understanding dawns ; 

We wake, — and lo, 'tis Heaven ! 



36 



UNDERSTANDING 

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall 
make you free." — John 8 : 32. 

When o'er my darkened night the 

dawn comes stealing, 
With sweetly whispered promise 

of the day, 
'Twill fuller, higher beauties 

keep revealing, 
Till shadows fade away. 

And then the Light that shineth 

on forever. 
Win o'er my life in radiant 

splendor stream, 
And phantoms of the dark shall 

fright me never, — 
For Love shall reign supreme. 



37 



The buds that now seem bhghted 

ere unfolding, 
Will burst to perfect beauty in 

my hand : 
I know not yet the gracious gift 
I'm holding, — 
But then I'll understand. 

My tears that in deep sorrow 

now are falling. 
Will turn to songs of joy, and 

hymns of praise ; 
While through the air I'll hear 

sweet voices calling 
My feet to brighter ways. 

And then I'll find that, in my 

fleshly blindness. 
Created I myself a God 

above. 
And made Him Lord of hate as 

well as kindness ; — 
But then I'll know Him, Love. 



38 



And walking in the footsteps 

of the Master, 
I'll learn of Him, and clearly 

understand 
That naught of darkness, evil, 

or disaster. 
Came from God's loving hand. 

Then I shall know why prayers 

were unavailing 
That in my bitter anguish oft 

I'd plead. 
Entreating God to change, when 

trust was failing, 
And faith was all my need. 

The cross that weighs me down 

in woe and sorrow. 
Shall be a crown of Life to 

deck my brow; 
And I shall dream not of a far 

to-morrow. 
But know my Heaven is now. 



39 



And so I pray for Light that I 

may waken 
From out my long and troubled 

sleep of fear; 
That all my earthly dreams shall 

be forsaken, 
And Spirit's Day be here. 

And when at last my night 
has reached its ending, 

I'll sing the Spirit's 

Resurrection Song, 

And find within my Dawn of 
Understanding, 
The Day for which I long. 



40' 



HEAVEN 

"Neither shall they say, lo here ! or, lo there ! for, be- 
hold, the kingdom of God is within you." — Luke 17:21. 

Heaven is no distant walled abode, 
Reached with our closing breath ; 

We enter through the gate of Life, 
And not the gate of death : 

'Tis where God is and sheds His care, — 

And God is with us everywhere. 

He dwelleth not above the stars. 

In regions far apart; 
Heaven is not won by change of place, 

But by a change of heart. 
We press not toward a distant goal, — 
The gates of Heaven are in the soul. 



41 



THANKSGIVING 

"If thou knewest the gift of God . . . thou wouldest 
have asked of him, and he would have given thee living 
water." — ^John 4: 10. 

Like one who spurns the priceless gem, 

And for a pebble small 
And almost worthless offers thanks, — 

We thank Thee, Lord of All 

We thank Thee for the gifts we take, — 

But oh, the gifts we slight 
Are far more precious, and we pray 

For grace to choose aright. 

Thy blessings wait us every day, 
Thy love our constant dower; 

And yet we spurn Thy bounty, Lord, 
In every passing hour. 

With longing hearts, we pray and plead 

For mercies just at hand, 
And starve in reach of plenty's store, — 

Yet fail to understand. 

42 



If we but knew Thy gracious gift 
Of sonship, — heirs are we, — 

Our thirsting souls would overflow 
With living waters free. 

Thus give we thanks for but a part 

Of all that shall be ours, 
Until Thy buds of promise burst 

To wondrous wealth of flowers. 

And then at last, when fully clothed 

In Spirit's garments white, 
We'll take the gifts Thou offerest now, 

And thank Thee, Lord, aright. 



43 



WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME 

"And the light shineth in darkness ; and the darkness 
comprehended it not." — ^John 1:5. 

Not receiving, and not giving, 
But a spur to higher living; 
For the mem'ry of the Christ-child ever bids me 
pause, and see 
That the life He came to show me 
Is not mine, — to those who know me, — 
For I follow not His footsteps : — that's what 
Christmas means to me. 

And through all my seeming gladness 
Sweeps a wave of bitter sadness, 
As I think of that low manger where the Magi 
bent the knee ; 
And remorse comes o'er me stealing, 
As I seem to , see them kneeling ; 
For I think of how I slight Him: — that's what 
Christmas means to me. 

44 



And to-day my heart is grieving 
That so long I've been deceiving; 
For I've not beheved Him truly, — else the "signs" 
had followed me. 
Though He called, I did not hear it, 
Worshipped not in Truth and Spirit, 
Comprehended not His mission : — that's what 
Christmas means to me. 

And the pealing bells are bringing 
Throngs of mem'ries, fleetly winging, 
And they speak of how He showed me that from 
death I might be free ; 
But I've missed the truth He taught me, 
And refused the gift He brought me 
Of Eternal Life triumphant : — that's what Christ- 
mas means to me. 

So on this glad Christmas morning, 
When God's glory seems adorning 
All of earth with peace and gladness, from the 
mountains to the sea; 
I uplift mine eyes with pleading 
That I may discern His leading, — 
Till from Bethlehem to Olivet, His life means 
Life for me. 



45 



Hark ! I hear the angels singing : 
All the air with joy is ringing, 
For to-day the Christ-child liveth : — in my heart 
He's born again; 
And before the manger lowly, 
I behold a vision holy 
Of the blessed truth of Christmas, — 'Teace on 
earth, good will to men." 



46 



MY PRAYER 

Oh Lord, I pray that I may ever know 

That Love is All ; 
That in the darkness Thou hast given me Light, — 

Lest I may fall. 

And may I claim the strength Thou offerest me 

To meet each day, 
And trust my all to Thee, nor ask to see 

My future v^ay. 

Lord, Thou dost knov^ and fill my every need 

Before I ask: 
So grant me patience to perform aright 

Each daily task. 

And may I follow through the darkest night 

My bright ideal, 
And cast away the worthless things of earth, 

Keeping the real. 

47 



I pray for wisdom, Lord, that I may choose 

The better part. 
And with a cup of Life's pure water bless 

Each thirsting heart. 

Through all the way may I have grace to show 

A joyous face, 
And, spreading sunshine, help to brighten each 

Unlovely place. 

Teach me to know that perfect peace is reached 

Alone through Love, 
And that my heaven is instant, — here on earth, 

Not far above. 

So may I radiate, each day, the Light 

That Thou hast given, 
And, by reflecting Love divine, in truth 

Raise earth to Heaven. 



48 



MY DUTY 

Whatever of love that lies within to-day, — 

And that is all. 
Whatever kindly word that I may say, — 

For Love is All : 
To ask my heart the loving way before 

Whate'er I do, 
And to my faith, and to my God, to be 

Forever true. 

To kindly think and softly speak, — yet with 

A heart sincere; 
To keep unbroken silence when a word 

May cause a tear; 
To look for beauty everywhere ; to see 

The good in men; 
To love and serve e'en when no love seems giv'n 

To me again. 

49 



However dark my way, to scatter smiles 

That bless and cheer; 
To temper strength with tenderness, and strive 

To bring Heaven near. 
Not for myself to seek for gain, — but so 

To live and love, 
That I may help to lift another's heart 

To look above. 



50 



MY GOAL 

To be strong, — that I may lift a 

fainting brother ; 
To be glad and smile, — that I may 

cheer some heart; 
To be wise, — that I may guide the 

wayworn wanderer ; 
To be pure, — that I may gain the 

better part. 

To be brave,- — that I may fight and 

help to conquer ; 
To be ever-loving, — that I may 

forgive ; 
To be rich in Heaven's treasure, 

Life eternal, — 
That giving, I may teach some 

heart to live. 



51 



THE CYCLE 

(An acrostic.) 
Autumn 

A far in the past, man lost 

sight of his own, 
U nmindf ul that God doeth 

well ; 
T hen, closing his eyes to 

omnipotent Good, 
Unheeded the Spirit leaves 

fell: 
M an stood forth unclothed, — Life, 

his birthright, seemed flown ; 
N e'er heeding God's pleading, 

"Come back to your own !" 

52 



Winter 
W ith swirling of snow winter 

swept o'er the earth; 
1 ce-bound, man God's power 

ceased to feel. 
N ight-birds of the forest, as 

onward they flew, 
T riumphantly cried, ''Death is 

real !" 
E ach breath of the tempest 

seemed sadly to moan, 
"R ash man in his blindness hath 

turned from his own !" 

Spring 
S pring Cometh at last ! Death is 

vanquished ; man lives ! 
P roclaim the glad tidings to 

all! 
Rejoice! for the sun of Truth 

shineth with power, 
I n Love's name all fetters 

shall fall. 
N ight waneth ! The storm-clouds 

of error have flown; 
G ive thanks ! Man awakens : he 

claimeth his own. 

53 



Summer 

S pring blossoms to summer ; the 

joy-birds all sing; 
U nknown now is death and 

decay. 
M an steps forth anew, with 

righteousness clothed, 
M aintaining his birthright for 

aye. 
E ternal Life triumphs. Love 

reigneth alone ! 
R ejoice ! for God's man hath 

come back to his own. 



54 



EBB-TIDE 

Only a waste of wet and gleaming sands, — 

As waves receding flow, 
Turning away from earth to seek the sea 

Where cooling breezes blow : 
Just for a time they left the ocean's tide, 

And here, foam-crested, beat upon the shore ; 
Now back to the unmeasured deep they roll, — 

Safe home forevermore. 

Only a waste of empty, dreary years, — 

As waves of life run out, 
Turning away from finite aims to God, 

To perfect trust from doubt : 
For just a moment's breath they lapped earth's 
shore ; 

But now the ebbing tide, bereft of foam. 
Unto the boundless sea of Love divine. 

Has brought them safely home. 



55 



THE OTHER ROOM 

He is not gone beyond thy ken, 

Into the gloom; 
Thy dear one Hves in Life divine, — 

Not in the tomb. 
And just passed through the door into 

The Other Room. 

And through the seeming darkness shines 

A gleaming ray : — 
Whate'er was thine is still thine own, 

And lives for aye : 
Just in the Other Room he dwells, — 

Not far away. 

He is not dead ; so dry thy tears 

And cease to pine : 
The Other Room is just beyond. 

And he is thine : 
Give thanks to God; — there is no death 

In Life divine ! 

56 



PROGRESSION 

When the summer flow'rs have vanished, 
Do we seek within the earth 

For the tiny seedlet planted 

Ere the blossom came to birth? 

When the singing birds have left us, — 
Stilled the notes we loved so well, — 

Do we seek them in the fragments 
Of the old, deserted sheh? 

And the goal of every streamlet 
Is the ocean's boundless wave ; 

Do we then seek its fulfilment 
In the distant mountain cave? 

So whene'er a loved one passes 

From the earth-seed and the gloom, 

To the Light of Life eternal ; 
Seek we not within the tomb. 



57 



For the cherished flow'rs are blooming 
Where the sun forever shines ; 

And the birds are sweetly singing 
In the balmy southern climes; 

While the brook with rapture plunges 
In the wide, unfathomed sea ; 

And our loved ones reach perfection, 
Clothed with Immortality. 



58 



FULFILMENT 

When all my cherished dreams 

have reached fulfilment, 
And each close-folded bud is 

fully blown; 
When spring has ripened into 

crowning summer, 
And I at last have come into 

mine own : 

Then shall I understand why 

life denied me 
Its riches for so long; — for 

I shall know 
That both my hands were full 

of tawdry baubles, 
And blindly I refused to let 

them go. 

59 



The while I deemed the bUghted 

bud so precious 
That at the thought of parting, 

tears would start, 
For me no perfect blossom e'er 

uncovered 
The secret sweetness of its 

perfumed heart. 

While clinging to the flesh and 

finite pleasures. 
With anxious thought that feared 

and mourned their loss, 
I gained no treasures from the 

wealth of Spirit; 
For I was overburdened with 

earth's dross. 

So some day I shall know that 

life seemed bitter. 
My prayers were long unanswered, 

progress slow, 
Because my hands were filled 

with worthless pebbles, 
And I was, oh, so loath to let 

them go. 



60 



COMPENSATIONS 

Star of Heaven, that shines with purest lustre, 
I would bid thee ever with me stay; 

Yet I know that thou must fade and vanish, 
Ere the dawn shall bring the golden day. 

Snowflake pure and spotless, I would keep thee! 

To my heart sweet rapture thou dost bring ; 
Yet the fervid sun must melt thy crystal. 

Ere we feel the gentle breath of Spring. 

Dainty rosebud, how I love thy beauty. 
Nestling here within my shady bower ! 

Still I know thou too must change in passing. 
Ere we greet the perfect full-blown flower. 

So the golden visions of our childhood. 
And the rosy dreamings of our youth, 

Must unfold to truer understanding. 
Ere we reach life's fuller, higher truth. 

Earthly pleasures that we hold so dearly. 

Pall before eternal joy is given; 
And our hearts must turn from flesh to Spirit, 

Ere we gain the perfect peace of Heaven. 

6i 



HEROISM 

He marched not to beating of drums, 

Heard no bugle's clear call ; 
He fought not to stirring huzzas, 

But alone : — that was all. 
He pressed toward the light that he knew, 

Bravely doing his best : 
E'en his friends met his effort with sneers, 

Yet he stood to the test. 

He smiled, — with an ache in his heart ; — 

'Tis not easy to do ; 
And the world, as it glanced at his face, 

Never guessed, never knew : 
Yet at night when no eye might behold. 

And the heedless throng slept, 
Alone with his heart racked with grief, — 

Never doubt that he wept. 

62 



It is easy to strive for a prize 

While the multitude cheers ; 
But to steadfastly live for your faith, 

And to smile at their jeers, — 
That is hard : — yet he held to the truth, 

Winning praises from none. 
In the battle of life that he waged, 

Don't you think that he won? 



63 



PATIENCE 

I WALKED 'midst the flowers at twilight, 
And, wearied with restless thought. 

There stole to my heart with their fragrance, 
The lesson of patience they taught. 

Each bud is a promise of glory. 

Each flow'r is that promise fulfilled ; 

And in its own time, as appointed, 
It blooms as the Father hath willed. 

And till the bud bursts to unfolding, 
Its hour of fulfilment drawn nigh, 

No hand may press open the petals. 
Or lo, it will wither and die. 

So force not the plant in its blooming. 

Else, blighted, it fadeth away; 
But wait, and though long be thy vigil. 

The blossom will crown it some day. 

For not every flow'r blooms in springtime, 
But some when the summer is past ; 

And so to each one of God's children 
The crown of Life cometh at last. 

64 



RECTIFICATION 

"Thy name?" said a voice to the maiden, 

Who raised her proud, laurel-wreathed head. 

"Success !'' came the clear, ringing answer ; 
But sadly the Shining One said : — 

"Perhaps 'twas thy name in the earth-land ; 
Yet here where the first shall be last, 
I read on thy forehead but 'Failure' : — • 
We value not here what thou hast. 

"The plaudits of earth are deceiving; 

Thy crown is of dead, crumbling flow'rs ; — 
Thou hast striven with misguided purpose, 
And wasted thy life's precious hours." 

Then turning to one who stood near her, — 
No wreath crowned her lowly-bowed head, — 

He tenderly questioned, "And thy name?" 
"Oh, I'm only 'Failure,' " she said. 

65 



'I've gained no world-fame and no riches ; 

I've sought not the treasures of earth, 
But labored for knowledge of Spirit, 

And men called my life of no worth." 

'Nay, little one, here we see clearly : 
A new name to thee hath been given : 

I crown thee 'Success,' — for 'tis written, — 
Earth's last shall be first here in Heaven." 



66 



CASTAWAYS 

A ROSE ! what, that poor faded thing, 
All withered, torn, and crushed? 

Ah, yes, 'twas wrought in beauty rare, 
Till trampled in the dust. 

It raised its heart all fresh with dew. 

To greet the new-born day; 
When one there came who paused and plucked,- 

Then lightly cast away. 

A man ! what, that poor bruised thing, 

All torn by fear and lust? 
Ah, yes, — in God's own image made; 

But groveling in the dust. 

The rose can ne'er regain its bloom; 

But man, if he but see, 
May be what God, in perfect Love, 

Intendeth him to be. 



67 



THOUGHTS 

Each little thought of love you send 

Out in to-day, 
Will speed on fleet and airy wings, 

Along life's way, 
To seek another thought of love; 

And, finding there, 
Will bring it back unto your heart, — 

An answered prayer. 

Each little thought of doubt and fear 

Sent out, will find 
The thing you fear ; — for every thought 

Brings back its kind. 
The hate you give will come to you 

With hate again, 
And every tear of grief return 

In bitter pain. 

68 



And so your life is sad or gay, 

By what you give 
Of care or joy in every day; — 

'Tis thus we live : 
So guard your thoughts and make them fair, 

And good, and true; 
And they v^^ill bring their blessings rare, 

Back home to you. 



69 



A SONG OF JOY 

I'm glad for every flower that grows, 
From clover bloom to gorgeous rose ; 
For every bird that soareth high 
On airy wings up toward the sky; 
And for each gentle breeze that blows. 

I'm glad for every sunset bright 
Which bathes the earth in golden light; 

For twilight's dusky purple hue ; 

And silv'ry moonbeams sifting through 
The lacey leaves in flecks of white. 

I'm glad for fields and babbling rills; 
For forest glades and wooded hills; 

For misty vales, and rivers wide; 

And for the ocean's boundless tide, 
Whose mighty voice my being thrills. 

70 



I'm thankful for the budding spring, 
For every fresh and growing thing; 

For summer's wealth of blooming flow'rs, 
Its peaceful nights and sunny hours, 
With all the rapture that they bring. 

I'm thankful for the garnered grain, 
For ripened fruits, and autumn rain. 

And flaming woodlands red and gold ; 

For winter's crisp and bracing cold. 
And snowflakes without spot or stain. 

I'm glad for sun, and stars, and dew ; 

For friendship tried and proven true; 
For time to serve and love to give 
To every creature that doth live ; 

And for the good that I may do. 

I'm glad for life, and hope, and love; 
For peace, and light to look above ; 

For strength to work, and grace to pray ; 

And glad for every new-born day 
Which brings me proof that God is Love. 



71 



Yet 'mid these blessings freely mine, 

I thank Him that my heart doth pine 

To look beyond all human bliss 

Unto a world more fair than this, 

And turns from earth to the divine. 

So for the gifts that God hath given, 
I praise Him most that I am driven 
To seek the higher, nobler things 
Of Spirit, and to mount on wings 
Unto the richer joys of Heaven. 



72 



MY CASTLE 

I'm building a wonderful castle, — 
Laying it stone upon stone, — 

And moment by moment I labor; 
For lo, I must build it alone. 

At times I am weary and saddened, 
And put in a stone of Despair ; 

While often I'm angry and fretful, 
And build with the pebbles of Care. 

Thus here and there, all through my castle, 
Will show imperfections of Sin, 

Unless I keep vigil in building, 
That no faulty stone enters in. 

For all that is placed there remaineth 
A part of this structure of mine ; 

And so must I use blocks of Kindness, 
And lay them in Mercy divine; 

Selecting each stone for its beauty, — 
Unselfishness, Patience, and Love, — 

Then faithfully follow the Pattern 
The Architect sent from above. 

7S 



And when a day, bright in its dawning, 
Beholdeth my castle complete, 

I'll go to the great Master Builder 
And lay it, ashamed, at His feet. 

Then will He accept or reject it? 

Perchance I have labored in vain ; 
For I must tear down what is faulty, 

And patiently build it again. 

Perhaps 'twill be found weak, disfigured, 
When God's perfect plan is unrolled; 

Defective, — and then is my castle 
Unfit for the City of Gold. 

Until it attaineth His standard, — 
Though ages unnumbered may roll, — 

'Twill still be discarded as worthless; 
So may it be perfect, and whole. 

Dear Master, Fm longing for wisdom. 
And strength for the task I've begun, 

That when Thou shalt call for my castle, 
I'll gain Thine approval, "Well done!" 



74 



THE MOUNTAINS OF PEACE 

Once I wandered in the valley, 

By a troubled stream, 
Looking ever toward the mountains, — ■ 

Glorious, serene; 
And the longing left me never, 
To forsake my restless river. 
For the heights, where Peace doth ever 

Hold its sway supreme. 

Yet they seemed so far, so misty, 
To my tear-dimmed eyes, 
And the way so steep and toilsome 

Where their beauty lies ; 
That Fd oft be vainly sighing 
For the wings of Faith — that, flying, 
I might reach them, distant lying 
'Gainst the sunset skies. 



75 



Peaceful were their purple shadows, 

And their slopes were fair, 
While the river murmured ever 

Of unrest and care ; 
Yet my hope grew ever dearer, 
And my earth-bound vision clearer, 
Till the Hills of Peace drew nearer. 
With their treasures rare. 

Then the haze that veiled their presence 

And their promise sweet, 
Vanished, — as when mists of morning 

With the sunlight meet; 
For at last I woke from dreaming, 
And the mountains, distant seeming, 
With the light of Peace were gleaming,— 
At my very feet. 



76 



BENEATH THE LEAVES 

I WANDERED througli a lonely wood, 

Long years ago ; 
No flowers bloomed beside my path, 

The clouds hung low : 

And heartsick, faint, I struggled on 

For weary miles. 
While last year's leaves around me lay 

In dreary piles. 

At last, as worn and almost spent 

With grief and care, 
I pushed away the mouldering leaves 

That gathered there; 

And, searching 'neath them as they lay 

Just at my feet, 
I found a perfect woodland flower, 

Divinely sweet. 

77 



And so, beneath my broken hopes, 

In Hfe's dark hour, 
I seek the blessing, as I sought 

The woodland flower; 

For, having learned though rough the way 

And deep the gloom. 
Still underneath the withered leaves 

The flowers bloom, 

I now have faith to ever know, — 

Though naught I see, — 
That God hath placed in every path 

A flower for me. 



THE LAND OF TRUE SUCCESS 

The Land of True Success that I 

would seek, 
Is reached not by the Road of 

Earthly Power: 
I fain would tread some simple, 

grass-grown path, 
Where often I may pause to pluck 

a flower. 

The crowded road leads on, — but 

not to Peace ; 
Its hurrying thousands fix on 

earth their eyes : 
For me, the silence of some 

woodland path. 
With glimpses here and there of 

Paradise. 



79 



upon the road the strongest 

crush the weak, 
Then struggle on in search of 

earthly gold : 
But give to me a path where 

brothers meet, — 
Where all shall seek in Love 

a wealth untold. 

The countless throngs press on 

with eager feet, 
To reach a worthless prize that 

fades away; 
Yet I would seek to understand 

life's truth. 
And lift my brother fallen by 

the way. 

Oh, may my treasure be of Heaven, 

not earth ; 
And when the farthest guide-post 

has been passed, 
ril find, though I have naught 

of wealth or fame. 
The Land of True Success is mine 

at last. 



80 



THE VALE OF SEEMING 

In the Vale of Seeming, 
Where the clouds hang low, 

Men and women wander, 
Dreaming as they go. 

Groping through the darkness, 
Plucking weeds of care ; — 

While upon the hilltops 
Bloom the flowers fair. 

Gathering worthless pebbles, 
In their sleep profound; — 

While upon the mountains 
Priceless gems abound. 

By dense mists enshrouded, 
There the sun ne'er gleams ; — » 

Here, above the storm-clouds. 
Light Eternal streams. 

8i 



There the sound of weeping; — 
Here an anthem swells : 

On the Hills of Glory 
Peace Eternal dwells. 

There the phantom reaper 
Gathers in his grains ; — 

On the Mount of Spirit 
Life Eternal reigns. 

And they blindly murmur 
As in dreams they weep, 

"Yet a little slumber, 
Yet a little sleep." 

Will they ne'er awaken. 
Never leave the Vale? 

Lo, the answer cometh, 
"Love will never fail." 

I would wake them now, Lord, 
Soon 'twill be too late. 

Anxiously I listen, — 
Lo, the answer, "Wait!" 



§2 



They will cease from dreaming 
And unclose their eyes, 

When, of sleep aweary, 
They shall long to rise. 

Then by patient climbing, 
Seeking Love's release, 

Leave the Vale of Seeming, 
Reach the Hills of Peace. 



83 



UNANSWERED 

I said, "Oh little lad, with 

faith unbounded, 
I pray thou'll ever keep thy 

joyous heart, 
And thy calm trust that knows 
no thought of evil, 
Nor feels its smart : 
May life seem just as bright 

to thee at evening, 
As at its dawn, — thy earthly 

cares as few ; 
And may thou keep thyself as 
pure and spotless !" 
He said, "Did you?" 

84 



'May naught e'er dim thy knowledge 

of God's goodness, 
The peace that shines within 

thy trusting eyes; 
And as thou'rt free from fear, 

keep thou forever, — ^ 
Lest doubts arise : 
Then open not thine heart to 

Hes that darken, 
But, shutting out whatever is 

untrue, 
Seek only for the things that 

are eternal !" 
He said, "Did you?'' 



85 



THE RIVER OF LIFE 

"And a little child shall lead them." — Isa. ii:6. 

Down to the river's brink a 

maiden came, 
And scanned with wistful eyes 

the glowing west, 
Where, just beyond the placid, 

flowing tide. 
There lay a city in a land 

of rest. 

Its palaces gleamed white and 

wondrous fair. 
And all its streets were paved 

with shining gold ; 
Its gates were pearl, its walls 

of jewels rare, 
While through its midst a crystal 

river rolled. 

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It had no need of moon to shine 

by night, 
Nor golden sun to Hghten it 

by day; 
No death was there, nor sorrow, 

neither pain. 
For God himself had wiped all 

tears away. 

Yet still the river gently 

rolled between; 
And as she pondered how to 

cross its tide. 
That she might reach the harbor 

just beyond, 
She saw a boatman at the 

river's side. 

"What is yon city fair?" the 

maiden asked. 
'' 'Tis Heaven," the boatman said, 

"the land of peace ; 
The city of your hopes and fond 

desires. 
Where all earth's woes and 

tribulations cease." 



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"Oh, tell me how to reach this 

wished- for land : 
I fain would hasten to its 

peaceful rest." 
'Til be your guide," he said : 

"my boat is strong: 
Who sails with me shall be 

forever blest." 

Then as she turned to follow 

where he led, 
A little child, with arms 

outstretched, stood near, 
And in a silv'ry voice cried 

out, "Oh, stay! 
Go not with him ! This boatman's 

name is Fear. 

"Come, follow me ! See, yonder 

is my bark! 
I'll guide you safely to that 

Heavenly Home. 
My name is Truth : in Spirit I 

abide." 
And in a voice of love, she 

pleaded, "Come." 



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The maiden looked, and gently 

smiled to see 
A tiny shallop dancing on the 

wave; 
Then, laughing lightly, passed 

the little child, 
And hurried on with buoyant 

heart and brave. 

"Good sir, I fain would hasten 

to embark: 
The journey is not long, the 

river calm, — 
Yet 1 would make the harbor ere 

'tis dark, 
P'or even now, methinks, I fear 

some harm." 

"No need of haste, fair maid, the 

stream is wide; 
Your journey will consume long, 

weary years ; 
The way is dark and fraught with 

dangers dread, 
With countless monsters, and with 

nameless fears. 



89 



"This river is the River of your 

Life; 
And just before you reach that 

distant shore, 
The seething whirlpool Death must 

swallow you. 
And you will sink, — perhaps to 

rise no more." 

"What ! A/Just I pass through horrors 

all the way, 
To perish at the last ?" the maiden 

cried. 
"Yes," answered he, "all who have 

reached that goal 
Have greatly suffered, and at last 

have died." 

"Is there no way to pass this 

whirlpool by? 
And must I die to reach that city 

fair? 
How am I sure that even then I'll 

find. 
When I have suffered all, that I 

am there?" 



90 



''You cannot tell what lies 

beyond," he said, 
''Nor what will happen after 

Death's cold wave 
Envelopes you; but blindly, 

knowing naught. 
Must pass through this dark 

whirlpool of the Grave. 

The maiden's face which once 

had glowxd with joy, 
Was now o'erclouded with a dire 

dismay : 
And, with a sigh, she grasped 

the laboring oars. 
And at the boatman's bidding, 

pulled away. 

"Where is the sun which lately 
seemed to shine ? 

Dark, lowering clouds obscure 
its golden light : 

Whence come these angry, foam- 
capped waves ?" she cried : 

"W^hy fades the Heavenly City 
from my sight?" 



91 



" 'Tis ever thus with mortals," 

he repHed; 
'^Wheii starting out, thq way seems 

bright and fair; 
But soon the land which seemed 

not far away, 
Has fainter grown, till 'tis no 

longer there. 

"See yonder towering wave, yon 

jutting rock ! 
The one is Envy, and the other, 

Strife. 
These monsters grim are Sickness, 

Pain, and Sin : 
With these you needs must struggle 

all your life." 

The maiden looked, and saw them 

as he said : 
The boat rocked wildly in the 

seething gale. 
*T can no farther go !" at last 

she cried; 
"My hope is gone; my strength 

begins to fail. 



92 



"The way is dark, oh boatman! 

dark and drear; 
My heart is heavy, and my soul 

oppressed." 
Hark ! Comes a soft, sweet whisper 

to her ear ; — 
"Come unto Me, and I will give 

you rest." 

Then lo, she sees the little 

child once more, 
And, as she looks, a star shines 

through the night. 
"The star ! Oh maiden, see ! The 

Star of Hope ! 
Come, leave your Fear! Truth 

ever guides aright." 

Then waiting not for e'en one 
parting word. 

She leaps from out her tempest- 
battered bark. 

And leaving Fear behind her in 
the gloom. 

She sees him vanish in the 
gath'ring dark. 



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Truth stands before her speaking 

soft and low, 
*T must remove your heavy veil, 

oh maid ; — 
Tis called the Veil of Mortal 

Sense, you know; — 
When once 'tis gone, you ne'er 

can be afraid. 

And with a gentle hand, she lifts 

its folds ; 
And then the maiden, blinded once 

by P^ear, 
Beholds the River Life, serene 

and calm. 
And Heaven, the blessed city, 

even here. 

"Where are the weaves that lately 

seemed so wild? 
Where are the monsters that 

beset my way?" 
''They were but conjured phantoms,' 

said the child, 
"Seen through your veil, which I, 

Truth, took away." 



94 



"But what of Death? Is that too 

but a dream ? 
Or must I still be swallowed by 

its w^ave?" 
''Dear maid, the Shining One who 

went before, 
Has vanquished e'en the terror 

of the Grave. 

"All eyes are blinded by this 

veil of Sense, 
Till He, the Christ, doth bid 

them banish Fear : 
He shows that God is Love, and 

sends but good; 
And dwelleth not in distant 

skies, but here. 

"The sun shone just as brightly 

overhead ; 
Your veil caused seeming clouds 

to gather near; 
The river flowed as calmly, 

smoothly on. 
Though threat'ning rocks and 

waves seemed to appear. 



95 



"And so the Heaven of your 

fondest dreams 
Is not a city distant, far 

apart ; 
But when through Spirit you 

have understood, 
You find its kingdom is within 

your heart." 



96 



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